“What?”

“The only reason he’s worried about you tonight.”

It didn’t hurt because it was new. It hurt because it was true.

The next morning, my father called Nathan directly. Before putting the call on speaker, Nathan looked at me for permission. I nodded.

“Nathan,” my father said, using a familiarity he had not earned, “I think we should talk man to man.”

Nathan leaned back in his chair. “Go ahead.”